 Chapter 31 of the pilot by James Dunamore Cooper, this LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter 31, his only plot was this, that much provoked, he raised his vengeful arm against his country, Thompson. Alice Stenscomb remained on the sands watching the dark spot that was soon hid amid the waves and the obscurity of night and listening with melancholy interest to the regulated sounds of the oars, which were audible long after the boat had been funded with the gloomy outline of the eastern horizon. When all traces of her departed friends were to be found only in her own recollection, she slowly turned from the sea and hastened to quit the bustling thong that were preparing for the embarkation of the rest of the party. She ascended the path that conducted her once more to the summit of those cliffs along which she had so often rode, gazing at the boundless element that washed their base with sensations that might have been peculiar to her own situation. The soldiers of Borough Cliff who were stationed at the head of the past respectfully made way nor did any of the sentinels of manual eat her retiring figure until she approached the rear guard of the Marines who were commanded by their vigilant captain in person. Who goes there cried manual advancing without the dusty group of soldiers as she approached them. One who possesses neither the power nor the inclination to do ye harm answered the solitary female Tiz Alice Dunstone returning by permission of your leader to the place of her birth. I muttered manual this is one of Griffith's unmilitary exhibitions of his politeness. Does the man think that there was ever a woman who had no tongue? Have you the counter sign madam that I may know you bear a sufficient warrant to pass? I've no other warrant besides my sex and weakness unless Mr. Griffith's knowledge that I've left him can be so considered. The two former are enough sort of voice that proceeded from a figure which had hitherto stood unseen shaded by the trunk of an oak that spread its wide but naked arms above the spot where the guard was paraded. Who have we here manual again cry come in yield or you will be fired at what will the gallant captain manual fire on his own rescuer said the pilot with cool disdain as he advanced from the shadow of the tree he'd better reserve his bullet for his enemies than waste them on his friends you've done a dangerous deed sir in approaching clandestinely a guard of marines I've wondered that a man who has already discovered tonight that he has some knowledge of tactics by so ably conducting a surprise should betray so much ignorance in the forms of approaching the picket. It is now of no moment which on the pilot my knowledge and my ignorance are alike in material as the command of the party is surrendered to other and perhaps more proper hands but I would talk to this lady alone sir she is an acquaintance of my youth and I will see her on her way to the abbey. The step would be a military Mr. Pallett and you will excuse me if I do not consent to any of our expedition struggling without the centuries if you choose to remain here to hold your discourse I will march the picket out of hearing though I must acknowledge I've seen our ground so favorable as this we are on to keep you within range of our eyes you perceive that I have a ravine to retreat into in case of surprise with this line of wall on my left flank and the trunk of that tree to cover my right a very pretty stand might be made here on emergency for even the oldest troops like the best when their flanks are properly covered and a way to make the regular retreat is open in their rear say no more sir I would not break up such a position on any account return the pilot the lady will consent to retrace her path for a short distance Alice follow his steps in compliance with this request until he had led her to a place at some little distance from the marines where a tree had been prospered by the late Gale she seated herself quietly on its trunk and appeared to wait with patience his own time for the explanation of his motives and seeking the interview the pilot pays for several minutes back and forth in front of the place where she was seated in profound silence as if communing with himself when suddenly throwing off his air of absence he came to her side and assumed a position similar to the one which she herself had taken the hour is at hand Alice when we must part the heat length commence to rest with yourself whether it shall be forever let it then be forever John she returned with a slight tremor in her voice that word would have been less appalling had this accidental meeting never occurred and yet your choice may have been determined by prudence for what is there in my fate that can tempt the woman to wish that she might share it if you mean your lot is that of one who can find but few or even none to partake of his joys or to share in his sorrows whose life was a continual scene of dangers and calamities of disappointments and mishaps then do you know but little of the heart of woman if you doubt of either her ability or her willingness to meet them with the man of her choice say you thus Alice then have I misunderstood your meaning or misinterpreted your acts my lot is not altogether that of a neglected man unless the favor of princes and the smiles of queens are allowed to go for nothing my life is however one of many and fearful dangers and yet it is not filled altogether with calamities and mishaps is it Alice he paused a moment but in vain for her answer nay then I've been deceived in the estimation that the world has a fix to my combats and enterprises I'm not Alice the man I would be or even the man I had deemed myself you've gained a name John among the warriors of the age she answered in a subdued voice and it is a name that may be said to be written in blood the blood of my enemies Alice the blood of the subjects of your natural prince the blood of those who breathe the air you first breathed and who were taught the same holy lessons of instruction that you were first taught but which I fear you have too soon forgotten the blood of the slaves of despotism he's strongly interrupted her the blood of the enemies of freedom you have dwelt so long in this dull retirement and you have jurors so blinding the prejudices of your youth that the promise of those noble sentiments I once thought I could see budding in Alice dance come has not been fulfilled I've lived and thought only as a woman as become my sex and station Alice me could apply and when it shall be necessary for me to live and think otherwise I should wish to die I there lie the first seeds of slavery a dependent woman is sure to make the mother of craving and abject wretches who dishonor the name of man I shall never be the mother of children good or bad said Alice without resignation in her terms that showed she had abandoned the natural hopes of her sex singly and unsupported have I lived alone and unlamented must I be carried to my grave the exquisite pathos of her voice as she uttered this class of speech blended as it was with the speeding calm dignity of virgin pride touched the heart of her listener and he continued silent many moments as if in reverence of her determination her sentiments awakened in his own breast those feelings of generosity and disinterestedness which had nearly been smothered in restless ambition and the pride of success he resumed the discourse therefore more mildly and with a much greater exhibition of deep feeling and less of passion in his manner I know not Alice that I are situated as I am and contented if not happy as you are even to attempt to revive in your bosom those sentiments which I was once led to think existed there it cannot after all be a desirable fate to share the lot of a rover like myself one who may be turned a coyote in the behalf of liberal principles and who may be hourly called to see the truth of those principles with his life there never existed any sentiment in my breast in which you are concerned that does not exist there still and unchanged return Alice with her single-hearted sincerity do I hear you right or have I misconceived your resolution to abide in England or have I not rather mistaken your early feelings you have fallen into no error now or nor then the weakness may still exist John but the strength to struggle with it has by the goodness of God grown with my ears it is not however of myself but of you that I would speak I've lived like one of our simple daisies which in my body may have caught your eye and I shall also wilt like the humble flower when the winter of my time arrives without being missed from the fields that have known me for a season but your fall John will be like that of the oak that now supports us and then shall pronounce on the beauty and grandeur of the noble stem while standing as well as of its usefulness when fell let them pronounce as they will return the proud stranger the truth must be finally known and when that hour shall come they will say he was a faithful and gallant warrior in his day and a worthy lesson for all who are born in slavery but would live in freedom shall be found in his example such may be the language of that distant people whom you have adopted in the place of those that once formed home and kin to you said Alice glancing her eye timidly at his countenance as if to discern how far she might venture without awakening his resentment but what will the men of the land of your birth transmit to their children who will be the children of those that are of your own blood they will say Alice whatever their cricket policy may suggest or their disappointed vanity can urge but the picture must be drawn by the friends of the hero as well as by his enemies thank you that there are not pens as well as swords in America I've heard that America called the land John where God has lavished his favors with an unsteering hand where he has bestowed many crimes with their several fruits and where his power is exhibited no less than his mercy it is said her rivers are without any known end and that lakes are found in her bosom which would put our German ocean to shame the plains steaming with verger are spread of live degrees and yet those sweet valleys which a single heart can hold are not wanting in short John I hear it is a broad land that can furnish food for each passion and contain objects for every affection I you have found those Alice in your solitude who have been willing to do her justice it is a country that can form a world of itself and why should they who inherit it look to other nations for their laws I pretend not to reason on the right of the children of that soil to do whatever they may deem most meet for their own welfare return Dallas but can men be born in such a land and not know the feelings with find a human being to the place of his birth can you doubt that they should be patriotic exclaimed the pilot in surprise do not their efforts in this sacred cause their patient sufferings their long privations speak loudly in every half and will they who know so well how to love home sing the praises of him who has turned his ruthless hand against the land of his father's forever harping on that word home said the pilot who now detected the timid approaches of Alice to her hidden meaning is that man's a stick or a stone that he must be cast into the fire or buried in a wall wherever his fate may have doomed him to appear on the earth the sound of home is said to feed the vanity of an Englishman let him go where he will but it would seem to have a still more powerful John with English women it is the dearest of all terms to every woman John Ford embraces the dearest of all ties if your names of America are ignorant of its John all the favors which God has lavished on their land will avail their happiness but little Alice said the pilot rising in his agitation I see but too well the object of your illusions but on this subject we can never agree for not even your powerful influence can draw me from the path of glory in which I am now treading but our time is growing brief let us then talk of other things this may be the last time I shall ever put foot on the island of Britain Alice calls to struggle with the feelings excited by this remark before she pursued the discourse but soon to shaking off the weakness she added with that rigid adherence to that course which she believed to be her duty and now John that you have landed is that breaking up about peaceful family and the violence she have shown towards an aged man a fit exploit for one whose object is the glory of which we have spoken thank you that I have landed and placed my life in the hands of my enemies for so unworthy an object no Alice I motive for this undertaking has been disappointed and therefore will ever remain a secret from the world but duty to my cause has prompted the step which you so I'm thinking we condemn this Colonel Howard has some consideration with those in power and will answer to exchange for a better man as for his words you forget their home their magical home is in America unless indeed they find them nearer at hand under the power flag of a frigate that is now waiting for them in the often you talk about frigate said Alice was suddenly interested in the subject is she your only means of escaping from your enemies Alice dance comb has taken but little heat of passing events to ask such a question of me that turned the hearty pilot the question would have sounded more discreetly had it been is she the only vessel with you that your enemies will have to escape from nay I cannot measure my language at such a moment continue ours without still stronger exhibition of anxiety it was my fortune to overhear a part of a plan that was intended to destroy about seven means those vessels of America that were in our seas that might be a plan more suddenly adopted than easily executed my good Alice and who were these redoubtable steamers I know not but my duty to begin she caused me to suppress this information said Alice has a team will be it so return the pilot cool it may prove the means of saving the persons of some of the royal officers from death or captivity I've already said this may be the last of my visits to this island and consequently Alice the last of our interviews and yet said Alice still pursuing the train of her own thoughts there can be but little harm in sparing human blood at least of all in serving those who we have long known and regarded I that is a simple doctrine and one that is easily maintained he added with much apparent indifference and yet in George might well spare some of his servants the list of his abject minions is so long there was a man named Dylan who lately dwelt in the abbey but who as mysteriously disappeared continue Alice or rather who was captured by your companions know you all of them done I've heard there was a mystery into that name but we have never met Alice if at least having that this should be the last he was a captive in the skinner called the aerial she added still unheeding is affected in difference to her communication and when permitted to return to st. Ruth he lost sight of his solemn promise and others plighted honor to wreak his malice instead of effecting the exchange that he had conditioned to see made he plotted treason against his hapties yet it was most valid treason for his treatment was generous on time and his liberation certain he was the most unworthy astral girl but Alice may listen John she continued urged to even our keen on interest in his behalf by his apparent in their attention and yet I should speak tenderly of his feelings for he is already numbered with the dead one part of his scheme must have been frustrated for he intended to destroy that skinner which you call the aerial and to have taken the person of the young barn stable in both of which he has failed the person of barn stable I've rescued and the aerial has been stricken by a hand far milder than any of this world she is wrecked then is that frigate your only means of escape hasten John and seem not so proud and heedless for the hour may come when all your daring will not profit you against the machinations of secret enemies this Dylan had also planned that expresses should journey to a seaport at the south with the intelligence that your vessels were in these seas in order that the ships might be dispatched to intercept your retreat the pilot lost his affected in difference as she proceeded and before she see speaking his eye was endeavoring to anticipate her words by reading her countenance through the dusty medium of the starlight how know you this Alice he asked quickly and what vessel did he name chance made me an unseen listener to their plan and I know not but I forget my duty to my prince but John does asking too much of a weak woman to require that she shall see the man whom she once viewed with eyes of favor sacrificed when a word of caution given in season might enable him to avoid the danger once viewed with an eye of favor is it then so said the pilot speaking in a vacant manner but Alice her G the force of the ships or their names give me their names and the first lord of your British Admiralty shall not give so true an account of their forces I will finish from this list of my own their names were certainly mentioned said Alice with tender melancholy but the name of one part nearer to me was ringing in my ears and has driven them from my mind you are the same good Alice I once knew and my name was mentioned what said they of the pilot had his arms brick and a blow that made them tremble in their abbey did they call him coward girl he was mentioned in terms that pain my heart as I listen for it is never too easy a task to forget the lapse of years no are the freedoms of you to be easily eradicated there is likely in knowing that with all their affected abuse the slaves led me in their secret holes explained the pilot pacing in front of his listener with quick steps this it is to be marked among men above all others in your calling I hope yet to see the day when the third George out started the sound of that name even within the walls of his palace Alice Dunscombe heard him in deep and mortified silence there was two evidence that a link in the chain of their sympathies was broken and that the weakness in which she had been unconsciously indulging was met by no correspondent emotions in him after sinking her head for a moment on her bosom she arose without little more than her usual air of meekness and recall the pilot to a sense of her presence by saying in a yet milder voice I have now communicated all that it involved that you know and it is me that we separate what does soon he cries starting and taking her hand this is but a short interview Alice to proceed so long a separation be it short or be it long it must now end she replied your companions are on the eve of departure and I trust he would be one of the last he would wish to be deserted if you do this again I hope it may be with altered sentiments so far as regards her interests I wish you peace John and the blessings of God as you may be found to deserve them I ask no father unless it may be the aid of your gentle prayers but the night is gloomy and I will see you in safety to the abbey it is unnecessary she returned with woman the reserve the innocent can be as fearless on occasion as the most valued among your warriors but here is no cause for fear I shall take the path that will conduct me in a different way from that which is occupied by your soldiers and where I shall find none but him who is ever ready to protect the helpless once more John I bid you adieu her voice faltered as she continued he will share the lot of humanity and have your hours of care and weakness at such moments you can remember those you leave on this despised island and perhaps among them you may think of some who's interested in your welfare has been far removed from selfishness God be with you Alice he said touched with her emotion I'm losing all the images and more worthy things but I cannot permit you to go alone here we part John she said from and forever it is for the happiness of both for our fear we have but little in common she gently rested her hand from his grasp and once more bidding adieu in a voice that was nearly inaudible she turned and slowly disappeared moving with lingering steps in the direction of the abbey the first impulse of the pilot was certainly to follow and insist on seeing her on the way but the music of the garden eclipse at that moment sent forth its martial strings and the whistle of the boats and was heard winding its shrill call among the rocks in those notes that is practiced ill well understood to be the last signal for embarking obedient to the summons the singular man in his breast the natural feelings that were now on the eve of a violent eruption has so long been smothered by the visionary expectations of a wild ambition and perhaps a fierce resentments pursued his course in deep abstraction towards the boats he was soon met by the soldiers of berkeley deprived of their arms it is true but unguarded and returning peacefully to their quarters the mind of the pilot happily for the liberty of these men was too much absorbed in his peculiar reflections to note this act of riftless generosity nor did he arouse from his musing until his steps were arrested by suddenly encountering a memory you're in the pathway a light tap on his shoulder was the first mark of recognition he received when borough cliff who stood before him said it is evident sir from what has passed this evening that you are not what you seem you may be some rebel admiral or general thought that i know the right to command having been strangely contested among you this night but let who will own the chief authority i take the liberty of whispering in your ear that i have been scurvely treated by you i repeat most scurvely treated by you all generally and by you in particular the pilot started at this strange address which was uttered with all the bitterness that could be imparted to it by a disappointed man but he motioned with his hand for the captain to depart and turned aside to pursue his own way perhaps i'm not properly understood continued the obstinate soldier i say sir you have treated me scurvely and i would not be thought to say this to any gentleman without wishing to give him an opportunity to vent his anger the eye of the pilot as he moved forward glanced at the pistols with borough cliff held in his hands the one by the handle and the other by its barrel and the soldier even fancied at his footsteps were quickened by the sight after gazing at him until his form was lost in the darkness the captain muttered to himself he is no more than a common pilot after all no true gentleman would have received so probable a hint with such a start ah here comes the party of my worthy friend whose pilot knows a grape of the north side of mabura from one of the south the dog has the throat of a gentleman we will see how he can swallow a delicate illusion to his faults borough cliff stepped aside to allow the marines who were also in motion for the ghost to pass and watch the king looks for the person of the commander manual who had been previously surprised at the intention of Griffith to release the prisoners had halted to see that none but those who had been liberated by authority were marching into the country this accidental circumstance gave borough cliff an opportunity of meeting the other at some little distance from either of their respective parties I greet you sir said borough cliff with all affection this has been a pleasant for you for you captain manual the marine was far from being disposed to wrangle but there was that in the voice of the other which caused him to answer it would have been far pleasanter sir if I had met an opportunity of returning to captain borough cliff some of the favors that I've received at his hands may then do so you wait my modesty to the earth surely you forget the manner in which my hospitality has already been required by some two hours melding of my sword hill with a very unceremonious ricochet into a corner together with a love tap perceived over the shoulders of one of my men by so gentle an instrument as the butt of a musket dammy sir but I think an ungrateful man only a better sort of beast had the love tap been given to the officer instead of the man return manual with all commendable coolness it would have been better justice and the ran rock might have answered as well as the butt before a gentleman who carried the allowance of four thirsty fiddlers under one man's jacket now that is ranked in gratitude to your own cordial of the south side in the most biting insult I really see but one way of terminating this wordy war which if not discreetly ended may lead us far into the morning elect your own manner of determining the dispute sir I hope however it will not be by your innate knowledge of mankind which has already mistaken a captain by marines in the service of congress for a runaway lover bound to some green place or other you might just as well tweak my nose sir said borough cliff indeed I think it would be the milder approach of the two where you make your selection of these sir they were loaded for a very different sort of service but I doubt not will answer on occasion I am provided with a pair that are charged for any service return manual drawing the pistol from his own belt and stepping backwards a few paces you were destined for America I know said borough cliff who stood his ground with consummate coolness but it would be more convenient for me sir if you could delay your march for a single moment fire and defend yourself explain manual furiously retracing the steps towards his enemy the sounds of the two pistols were blended in one report and the soldiers of borough cliff and the marines all the rest of the place on the signal on had the former been provided with arms it is probable that a bloody fray would have been the consequence of the site that both parties be held on arriving at the spot which they did simultaneously manually on his back without any signs of life and borough cliff had changed his cool hearty upright attitude for a recumbent posture which was somewhat between lying and sitting is the poor fellow actually expended so the engagement and something like the tones of regret well he had a soldier's medal in him and was nearly as great a fool as myself the marines had luckily for the soldiers and their captain by this time discovered the signs of life and their own commander we'd been only slightly stunned by the bullet which had grazed his ground and who being assisted on his feet stood a minute or two rubbing his head as if awakening from a dream as manual came gradually to his senses he recollected the business in which he had just been engaged and in his turn inquired after the fate of his antagonist I'm here my worthy incognito quite the other with the voice of perfect good nature lying in the lap of mother earth and all the better for opening a vein or two in my right leg though I do think that the same effect might have been produced without treating the bone so roughly but I opine that I saw you also reclining on the bosom of our common ancestor I was down for a few minutes I do believe return manual there is the path of a bullet across my scalp I'm from the head subarqued toilet the hurt is not likely to be mortal I see well I shall offer to raffle with the first port devil I can find that has but one good leg for who shall I both and that will just set up a beggar and a gentleman manual give me your hand we have drunk together and we have fought surely there's nothing now to prevent our being sworn friends why return manual continuing to rather said I see no irremovable objections but you won't want a surgeon can I order anything to be done there go the signals again to embark march the fellows down at quick time sergeant my own man may remain with me or I can be altogether without assistance are you what I call a well-made man my dear friend exclaimed real quick no weak points about your fortress such a man is worthy to be the head of a whole core instead of a solitary company gently thrill gently handle me as if I were made of potter's clay I will not detain you longer my friend manual for I hear signal after signal they must be in want of some of your astonishing reasoning faculties to set them afloat manual might have been offended at the palpable allusions that his new friend made to the firmness of his occupant had not his perception of things been a little confused by a humming sound that seemed to abide near the region of thought as it was he reciprocated the good wishes of the other whom he shook most gorgeously by the hand and once more would need his offers of service after exchanging sundry friendly speeches I thank you quite as much as if I were not at all indebted to you for letting blood there by saving me a fit of apoplexy but real has already dispatched the messenger to be for a leech and the lad may bring the whole depot down upon you adieu once more and remember that if you ever visit England again as a friend you are to let me see you I shall do it without fail and I shall keep you to your promise if you once more put foot in America trust me for that I shall stand in need of your excellent head to guide me safely among those rude foresters adieu cease not to bear me in your thoughts I shall never cease to remember you my good friend return manual again scratching the member which was snapping in a manner that caused him to fancy he heard it once more these were these shook each other by the hand and again they renewed their promises a future intercourse after which they separated like two reluctant lovers parting in a manner that would have put to shame the friendship of all wrestlers and piloties in the chapter 31 chapter 32 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper this LibriVox recording is in the public domain chapter 32 may answer me stand and unfold yourself Hamlet during the time occupied by the incidents that occurred after the pilot that made his descent on the land the alacrity now under the orders of mr boat trope the master of the frigate lay off and on in readiness to receive the successful mariners the direction of the wind had been gradually changing from the northeast to the south during the close of the day and long before the middle watches of the night the very old seaman who it may be remembered had expressed in the council of war such a determined reluctance to trust his person within the realm of britain ordered the man who steered the cutter to stand in boldly for the land whenever the lead told them that it was prudent to attack the course of the vessel was changed and in this manner the seaman continued to employ the hours and patient attendants on the adventurers the sailing master who had spent the early years of his life as the commander of diverse vessels employed in trading was apt like many men of his vocation and origin to mistake the absence of refinement for the surest evidence of seamanship and consequently he held the little courtesies and punctilious of a man of war in high disdain his peculiar duties of superintending the expenditure of the ship's stores in their several departments of keeping the frigates logbook and of making his daily examinations into the state of her sails and rigging brought him so little in collision with the gay laughing reckless young lieutenants who superintended the ordinary management of the vessel that he might be said to have formed a distinct species of the animal there's certainly of the same genus with his more polished mess mates whenever circumstances however required that he should depart from the dull routine of his duty he made it a rule as far as possible to associate himself with such as the crew as possessed habits and opinions the least variance with his own by a singular fatality the chaplain of the frigate was as respects associates in a condition nearly assimilated to that of this veteran tar and earnest desire to ameliorate the situation of those who were doomed to meet death on the great deep and induced and experienced and simple hearted divine to accept this station in the fond hope that he might be made the favorite instrument of salvation to many who were then existing in a state of the most abandoned self-forgetfulness neither our limits nor our present object will permit the relation of the many causes that led not only to an entire frustration of all his visionary expectations but to an issue which rendered the struggle of the good divine with himself both our Jewish and ominous in order to maintain his own claims to the merit to distinctions of his sacred office the consciousness of his backsliding had so far lessened the earthly if not the spiritual pride of the chaplain as to induce him to relish the society of the rude master whose years had brought him at times to take certain views of futurity that were singularly affected by the peculiar character of the individual it might have been that both found themselves out of their places but it was owing to some such secret sympathy let its origin be what it would that the two came to be fond of each other's company on the night in question mr boltrope had invited the chaplain to accompany him in the alacrity adding in his broad rough language that as there was to be fighting on shore his hand might come and play with some poor fellow or other this singular invitation had been accepted as well from a desire to relieve the mountain of a sea life by any change as perhaps with a secret yearning in the breast of the troubled divine to get as nigh to terra firma as possible accordingly after the pilot had landed with his boisterous party the sailing master and the chaplain together with the boat since may and some 10 or 12 seaman were left in quiet possession of the cutter the first few hours of this peaceable intercourse have been spent by the worthy mess mates in the little cabin of the vessel over our can of grog the savory relish of rich was much increased by a characteristic disquisition on polemical subjects which our readers have great reason to regret it is not our present humor to record when however the winds invited the near approach to the hostile shores already mentioned the prudent sailing master adjourned the discussion to another and more suitable time removing himself and the can by the same operation to the court of debt there cried the honest tar placing the wooden vessel with great self-contentment by his side on the deck this is ships comfort there is a good deal of what i call a lover's fuss parsing kept up on board a ship that shall be nameless but which bears about three leagues distant broad off in the ocean in which is lying to under a close reefed main top sail a four top mast stay sail and for sale i call my hand a true one in mixing a can take another pull at the halluels we'll make your eye twinkle like a lighthouse this dark morning you won't well we must give no offense to the englishman's rum after a potent draft path succeeded this considerate declaration he added you are a little like our first lieutenant parsing her drinks as i call it nothing but the elements which is water stiffened with air mr. griffith may indeed be said to set a wholesome example to the crew return the chaplain perhaps with a slight consciousness that it had not altogether possessed its due weight with himself wholesome quite bold proof let me tell you my worthy leaf donor that if you call such a light diet wholesome you know that little of salt water and sea fogs however mr. griffith is a seaman and if he gave his mind less to trifles and gym cracks he would be by the time he got to about our years a very rational sort of a companion but you see parsing just now he thinks too much of small follies such as man of war discipline now there is rationality in giving a fresh nip to a rope or in looking well at your maths or even in crowning a cable but dammy priest if i see the use left left you lover don't you see sir you are steering for harmony if i see the use as i was saying of making a rumpus about the time when a man changes his shirt whether it be this week or next week or for that matter the week after provided it be bad weather i sometimes am mocky about attending muster and i believe i have as little to fear on the score of behavior as any man rest it should be found i carried my tobacco in the wrong cheek i have indeed thought it somewhat troublesome to myself at times and it is in a striking degree vexations to the spirit especially when the body has been suffering under sea sickness why yes you were a little apt to bend your dad's wrong for the first month or so said the master i remember you got the marine scraper on your head once in your hurry to bury a dead man then you never looked as if you belong to the ship so long as those cursive black knee breeches lasted for my part i never saw you come up the quarter deck ladder but i expected to see your shins give way across the combing of the hatch a man does look like the devil priest scutting about a ship's decks in that fashion under bare poles but now the tailor has found out the articles aren't seaworthy and we've got your lower stanchions cased in a pair of purser's slops i'm puzzled often to tell your heels from those of our main topman i have good reason to be thankful for the change said the humbled priest if the resemblance you mentioned existed while i was clad in the usual garb of one of my calling what signifies a calling return bold group catching his breath after a most persevering draft a man's shins are his shins that his upper works belong to what service they may i took an early prejudice against knee breeches perhaps from a trick i've always had of figuring the devil as wearing them you know parson we sell them here much said of a man without forming some sort of an idea concerning his rigging and fashion pieces and so as i had no particular reason to believe that satan went naked keep full ye lover now you are running into the wind's eye and be darned to you but as i was saying i always took a conceit that the devil wore knee breeches and a cocked hat there are some of our young lieutenants who come to muster on sundays and cocked hats just like soldier officers but do you see i would sooner show my nose under a nightcap than under a scraper i hear the sound of auras exclaim the chaplain who finding this image more distinct than even his own vivid conceptions of the great father of evil was quite willing to conceal his inferiority by changing the discourse is not one of our boats returning i it is likely if it had been me i should have been land sick before this where round boys and standby to heave to on the other tack the cutter obedient to her helm fell off before the wind and rolling an instant in the trough of the sea came up again easily to her oblique position with her head towards the cliffs and gradually losing her way as her sails were brought to counteract each other finally became stationary during the performance of this evolution a boat had hove up out of the gloom in the direction of the land and by the time the alacrity was in a state of rest it had approached so now as to admit of hailing boat ahoy murmured bullcrope through a trumpet rich aided by his lungs produced sounds not unlike the roaring of a ball i i was thrown back from a clear voice that swept across the water with a fullness that needed no factitious aid to render it audible i there comes one of the lieutenants with his eye i said bullcrope pipe the side there you both since may but here's another fellow more on our quarter boat ahoy alacrity returned another voice in a direction different from the other alacrity there goes my commission of captain of this craft in a width returned the sailing master that is as much as to say here comes one who will command when he gets on board well well it is mr. griffith and i can't say notwithstanding his love of knee buckles and small wares but i'm glad he's out of the hands of english i hear they all come upon us at once here is another fellow that pulls like the jolly boat coming up on our lee beam within hail let us see if he is asleep boat ahoy flag answered a third voice from a small light rowing boat which had approached very near the cutter in a direct line from the cliffs without being observed fly echo bullcrope dropping his trumpet in amazement that's a big word to come out of our jolly boat jack manly himself could not have spoken it with a fuller mouth but i'll know who it is that carries such a weather helm with a yankee man of war's prize boat ahoy i say this last call was uttered in those short menacing tones that are intended to be understood as intimating that the party hailing is in earnest and it caused the men who were rowing and who were now quite close to the cutter to suspend their stroke simultaneously as if they'd read it that the cry would be instantly succeeded by some more efficient means of ascertaining their character the figure that was seated by itself in the stern of the boat started at this second summons and then as if with sudden recollection a quiet voice replied no no no no and flag are very different answers grumbled bullcrope what no nothing have we hear he was yet muttering his dissatisfaction at the ignorance of the individual that was approaching whoever it might be when the jolly boat came slowly to their side and the pilot stepped from her stern sheets on the decks of the prize is it you mr pilot exclaimed the sailing master raising a battle lantern within a foot of the other's face and looking with a sort of stupid wonder at the proud and angry eye he encountered is it you well i should have rated you for a man of more experience than to come booming down upon a man of war in the dark was such a big word in your mouth when every boy in the two vessels knows that we carry no swallow tailed by broad flag why you might have got a shot have there been soldiers the pilot through him a still fiercer glance and turning away with a look of disgust he walked along the quarter deck towards the stern of the vessel with an air of hearty silence as if disdaining to answer bullcrope kept his eyes fast and done it for a moment longer with some appearance of scorn but the arrival of the boat first hailed which proved to be the barge immediately drew his attention to other matters barn stable had been rowing about in the ocean for a long time unable to find the cutter and as he had been compelled to suit his own demeanor to those with whom he was associated he reached the alacrity in note very good humor move colonel howard and his niece had maintained during the whole period the most rigid silence the former from pride in the ladder touched with her uncle's evident displeasure and kathryn though secretly elated with the success of all her projects was content to emulate their demeanor for a short time in order to save appearances barn stable has several times addressed himself to the ladder without receiving any other answer than such as was absolutely necessary to prevent the lover from taking direct defense at the same time that she intimated by her manner her willingness to remain silent accordingly the lieutenant after aiding the ladies to enter the cutter and offering to perform the same service to colonel howard which was coldly declined turned with that sort of irritation that is by no means less rare in vessels of war than with poor human nature generally and gave vent to his spleen where he dared how's this mr bolcrope he cried here are boats coming alongside with ladies in them and you keep your gaff suede up till the leech of the sailor's stretch like a fiddle string settle away your peak halyard sir settle away ii sir grumble the master settle away that peak there though the craft wouldn't forge ahead or not in a month with all her jibs hauled over he walked softly forward among the men followed by the meek divine and added i should have soon have expected to see mr barn stable come off without live ox in his boat as a petty coat the lord only knows what the ship is coming to next person well between cocktails and epaulets and other knee buckle matters she was a sort of no man's land before and now what with the women and their band boxes they'll make another Noah's ark of her i wonder they didn't all come aboard in a coach in six or a one horse shame it was a surprising relief to barn stable to be able to give utterance to his humor for a few moments by ordering the men to make sundry alterations in every department of the vessel in a quick hurryed voice that abundantly denoted not only the importance of his improvements but the temper in which they were dictated in his turn however he was soon compelled to give way by the arrival of Griffith in the heavily rowing launch of the frigate which was crowded with a larger body of the seaman who had been employed in the expedition in this manner boat after boat speedily arrived and the whole party were once more happily embarked in safety under their national flag the small cabin of the alacrity was relinquished to colonel howe and his wards with their attendance the boats were dropped to stern each protected by its own keeper and griffith gave forth the mandate to fill the sails and steer brought off into the ocean for more than an hour the cutter held her course in this direction gliding gracefully through the glittering waters rising and settling heavily on the long smooth billows as if conscious of the unusual burden that she was doomed to carry but at the end of that period her head was once more brought near the wind and she was again held at rest awaiting the appearance of the dawn in order to discover the position of the prouder vessel on which she was performing the humble duty of attending more than a hundred and fifty living men were crowded within her narrow limits and her decks presented in the gleam as she moved along the picture of a mass of human heads as the freedom of a successful expedition was unavoidably permitted loud jokes and loud merriment broke on the silent waters from the wrecked seaman while the exhilarating can pass from hand to hand strange oaths and dreadful denunciations breaking forth at times from some of the excited crew against their enemy had linked the bustle of re-embarking gradually subsided and many of the crew descended to the hold of the cutter in quest of room to stretch their limbs when a clear manly voice was heard rising above the deep in those strains that a seaman most loves to hear air succeeded air from different voices until even the spirit of harmony grew dull with fatigue and verses began to be heard where songs were expected and fleeting lines succeeded stanzas the decks were seen covered with cross statement seeking their natural rest under the open heavens and perhaps dreaming as they yielded heavily to the rolling of the vessel of scenes of other times in their own hemisphere the dark glances of Catherine were concealed beneath her falling lids and even Cecilia with her head bowed on the shoulder of her cousin slept sweetly in innocence and peace boat rope groped his way into the hold among the seaman we're kicking one of the most fortunate of the men from his birth he established himself in his place with all that cool indifference to the others comfort that had grown with his experience from the time when he was treated thus cavalierly in his own person to the present moment in this manner head was dropped after hit on the planks the guns or on whatever first offered for a pillar until Griffith and Barnstable alone were left pasting the different sides of the quarter deck in haughty silence never did a morning watch appear so long to the two young sabers who were thus deprived by resentment and pride of that frank and friendly communion that has for so many years sweetened the tedious hours of their long and in times dreary service to increase the embarrassment of their situation Cecilia and Catherine suffering from the confinement of a small and crowded cabin south of pure air of the deck about the time when the deepest sleep had settled on the senses of the reared mariners they stood leaning against the taff rail discoursing with each other in low and broken sentences but a sort of instinctive knowledge of the embarrassment which existed between their lovers caused a guarded control over every look or gesture which might be construed into an encouragement for one of the young men to advance of the expense of the other. 20 times however did the impatient Barnstable feel tempted to throw off the awkward restraint and approaches mistress but in each instance was ejected by the secret consciousness of error as well as by the habitual respect for superior length that forms a part of the nature of a sea officer on the other hand Griffith manifested no intention to profit by the silent concession in his favor but continued to pace the short quarter deck with strides more hurried than ever and was seen to throw many and impatient glance towards that quarter of the heavens where the first signs of the lingering day might be expected to appear. That length Catherine without ready ingenuity and perhaps with some secret coquetry removed the embarrassment by speaking first taking care to address the lover of her cousin. How long are we condemned to these limited lodgings Mr Griffith she asked truly there is a freedom in your nautical customs which to say the least is novel to us females who have been accustomed to the division of space. The instant that there is light to discover the frigate Miss Pauldin the answer to you shall be transferred from a vessel of an hundred to one of twelve hundred tons if your situation there be less comfortable than when within the walls of st. Ruth you will not forget that they who live on the ocean claim it as a merit to despise the luxuries of the land. At least sir return Catherine without sweet grace which she well knew how to assume on occasion where we shall enjoy will be sweetened by liberty and embellished by a sailor's hospitality demisiously the air of this open sea is as fresh and invigorating as if it were walked from our own distant America. If you have not the arm of a patriot you at least possess a most loyal imagination Miss Pauldin said Griffith laughing this soft breeze blows in the direction of the fans of Holland instead of the broad plains of America thank God there come the signs of day at last unless the currents have swept the ship far to the north we shall surely see her with the light this cheering intelligence through the eyes of the fair cousins towards the east where their delighted looks were long fastened while they watched the glories of the sun rising over the water as the morning had advanced a deeper gloom with spread across the ocean and the stars were gleaming in the heavens like balls of twinkling fire but now a streak of pale light showed itself along the horizon growing brighter and widening at each moment until long feisty clouds became visible where nothing had been seen before but the dim base of the arch that overhung the dark waters this expanding light which in appearance might be compared to our silvery opening in the heavens was seen tinged with a pale flesh which quickened with sudden transitions into glows yet deeper until a belt of broad flame bounded the water diffusing itself more faintly towards the zenith where it melted into the pearl colored sky or played on the fantastic volumes of a few light clouds within constant glimmering while these beautiful transitions were still before the eyes of the youthful admirers of their beauties a voice was heard above them crying as if from the heavens say oh ho the frigid lies brought off to the seaward so i you have been watching with one i sleep fellow return griffid oh we should have heard you before look out a little north of the place where the glare of the sun is coming miss bloden and you will be able to see our gallant vessel an involuntary cry of pleasure burst from the lips of caffeine as she followed his directions and first beheld the frigate through the medium of the fluctuating colors of the morning the undulating outline of the lazy ocean which rose and fell heavily against the bright boundary of the heavens was without any relief to distract the eye as it fed eagerly on the beauties of the solitary ship she was riding sluggishly on long seas with only two of her lower and smaller sail spread to hold her in command but her tall mass and heavy yards were painted against the fiery sky in strong lines of deep black while even the smallest cord in the mazes of her rigging might be distinctly traced stretching from spar to spar with the beautiful accuracy of a picture at moments when her huge hull rose on a billow and was lifted against the background of the sky its shape and dimensions were brought into view but these transient glimpses were soon lost as it settled into the trough leaving the waving spars bowing gracefully towards the waters as if about to follow the vessel into the bosom of the deep as a clearer light gradually stole on the senses the delusion of colors and distance vanished together and when a flood of day preceded the immediate appearance of the sun the ship became plainly visible within a mile of the cutter her black hull checkered with ports and her high tapering mass exhibiting their proper proportions and hues at the first cry of a sail the crew of the alacrity had been aroused from their slumbers by the shrill whistle of the boats and long before the admiring looks of the two cousins had ceased to dwell on the fascinating sight of morning chasing night from the hemisphere the cutter was again in motion to join her consort it seemed but a moment before their little vessel was in whether timid females fought a dangerous proximity to the frigate under whose lead she slowly passed in order to admit of the following dialogue between griffith and his aged commander i rejoice to see you mr griffith graduate captain who stood in a channel of his ship waving his head in that way of cordial greeting you're welcome back captain manual welcome welcome all of you my boys as welcome as a breeze in the calm latitudes as is i however passed along the deck of the alacrity it encountered the shrinking figures of sicilia and catherine and a dark shade of displeasure across his decent features while he added how's this gentleman the frigate of congress is neither a ballroom nor a church that is to be thronged with women i i met a bullcrope to his friend of chaplain now the old man has hauled out his missing you will see him carry a weather helm he wakes up about as often as the trades shift their points and that's once in six months but when there has been a neap tide in his temper for any time you're sure to find it followed by a flood without vengeance let us hear what the first lieutenant can say in favor of his petticoat quality the blushing sky had not exhibited a more fiery glow and gleamed in the fine face of griffith for a moment a struggling with his disgust he answered with bitter emphasis which was the pleasure of mr gray sir to bring off the prisoners but mr gray repeated the captain instantly losing every trace of displeasure in an air of acquiescence come to serve on the same tack with the ship and i will hasten to order the accommodation ladder rig to receive our guests bullcrop listen to this sudden alteration in the language of his commander was sufficient wonder there was it until he had shaken his head repeatedly with a manner of one who saw deeper than his neighbors into a mystery but he found leisure to observe now passing i suppose if you held an almanac in your fist you'd think you could tell which way we shall have the win tomorrow but then you preach if better calculators than you haven't failed because a liberally know he's a thorough seaman i'll say that for the fellow because the pilot chooses to say bring me off these your women the ship is to be so cluttered with she cattle that a man will be obligated to spend half his time in making his manners now mind what i tell you priests this very phallic will cost congress the price about years wages for an able-bodied seaman in bunting and canvas for screens besides the wear and tear of running gear and shortening sale in order that the women need not be steric in squalls the presence of mr bullcrop being required to take charge of the cutter the vines denied an opportunity of dissenting from the opinions of his rough companion for the loveliness of their novel shipmates had not been able to plead loudly in their favor with every man in the cutter his habits and ideas had not become rigidly set in obstinacy by the time the lactacy was hoved to with her head towards the frigate the long line of boats that she had been towing during the latter part of the night were brought to her side and filled with men a wild scene of unbridled merriment and gayity succeeded rather seaman were exchanging the confinement of the prize for their custom lodges in the ship during which the reins of discipline were slightly relaxed loud laughter was echoed from boat to boat as they glided by each other and rude jest interlarded with quaint humors and strange oaks were freely banded from mouth to mouth the noise however soon ceased and the passage of colonel Howard and his wards was then affected with less precipitancy and due decorum captain monthson who had been holding a secret dialogue with Griffith and the pilot received his unexpected guests with plain hospitality but with an evident desire to be civil he politely yielded to their services to convenient state rooms and invited them to partake in common with himself of the comforts of the great cabin end of chapter 32 chapter 33 of the pilot by James Fenimore Cooper this LibriVox recording is in the public domain chapter 33 furious press the hostile squadron furious he repels their rage loss of blood at length and feebles who can war with thousands wage Spanish war song we cannot detain the narrative to detail those scenes which busy wonder aided by the relation of divers marvelous feats produced among the curious seaman who remained in the ship and their more fortunate fellows who had returned in glory from an expedition to the land for nearly an hour the turbulence of a general movement was heard issuing from the deep recesses of the frigate and the boisterous sounds of horse merriment were listened to by the officers in indulgent silence but all these symptoms of unbridled humor ceased by the time the morning repast was ended when the regular sea watch was set and the greater portion of those whose duty did not require their presence on the vessel's deck availed themselves of the opportunity to repair the loss of sleep sustained in the preceding night still no preparations were made to put the ship in motion the long and earnest consultations which were supposed to relate to their future destiny were observed by the younger officers to be held between their captain the first lieutenant and the mysterious pilot the latter through many an anxious glance along the eastern horizon searching it minutely with his glass and then return his impatient looks at the low dense bank of fog which stretching across the ocean like a barrier of cloud entirely intercepted the view towards the south through the north and along the land the air was clear and the sea without a spot of any kind but in the east a small white sail had been discovered since the opening of day which was gradually rising above the water and assuming the appearance of a vessel of some size every officer on the quarter deck in his turn had examined this distant sail and had ventured an opinion on its destination and character and even Catherine who with her cousin was enjoying in the open air the novel beauties of the ocean had been tempted to place her sparkling eye to a glass to gaze at the stranger it is a collier grifters said who is hauled from the land in the late gale and who is lefting up to his course again if the wind holds here in the south and he does not get into that fog bank we can stand up for him and get a supply of fuel before eight bells are struck I think his head is to the northward and that he is steering off the wind return the pilot in a musing manner if that Dylan succeeded in getting his express far enough along the coast the alarm has been spread and we must be wary the convoy of the Baltic trade is in the North Sea and news of our presence could easily have been taken off to it by some of the cutters that line the coast I could wish to get the ship as far south as the helder then we lose this weather tide exclaimed the impatient grifters surely we have the cutter as a lookout besides by beating into the fog we shall lose the enemy if enemy it be and it is thought meet for an American frigate to skulk from her foes the scornful expression that kindled the eye of the pilot like a gleam of sunshine lighting for an instant some dark delt and laying bare its secrets was soon lost in the usually quiet look of his glance though he hesitated like one who was struggling with his passions before he answered if prudence and the service of the states required even this proud frigate must retreat and hide from the meanest other enemies my advice captain munson is that you make sail and beat the ship to winward as mr. Griffith has suggested and that you order the cutter to precede us keeping more in with the land the agency men who evidently suspended his orders only to receive an intimation of the others pleasure immediately commanded his youthful assistant to issue the necessary mandates to put these measures in force accordingly the alacrity which vessel had been left under the command of the junior lieutenant of the frigate was quickly underway in making short stretches to winward she soon entered the bank of fog and was lost to the eye in the meantime the canvas of the ship was loosened and spread leisurely in order not to disturb the portion of a crew who were sleeping and following her little consort she moved heavily through the water bearing up against the dull breeze the quiet of regular duty had succeeded to the bustle of making sail and as the rays of the sun fell less obliquely on the distant land Catherine and Cecilia were amusing Griffith by vain attempts to point out the rounded eminences which they fancied lay in the vicinity of the deserted mansion of st. Ruth barn stable who had resumed his former station in the frigate as her second lieutenant was pacing the opposite side of the quarter deck holding under his arm the speaking trumpet which denoted that he held the temporary control of the motions of the ship and inwardly cursing the restraint that kept him from the side of his mistress at this moment of universal quiet when nothing above low dialogues interrupted the dashing of the waves as they were thrown lazily aside by the bowels of the vessel the report about light cannon burst out of the barrier of fog and rolled by them on the breeze apparently vibrating with the rising and sinking of the waters there goes the cutter exclaimed Griffith the instant the sound was heard surely said the captain summers is not so in the street as to scale his guns after the caution he has received no idle scaling of guns is intended there said the pilot straining his eyes to pierce the fog but soon turning away in disappointment at his inability to succeed that gun is shotted and has been fired in the hurry of a sudden signal can your lookout see nothing mr barn stable the lieutenant of the watch hailed the man aloft and demanded if anything were visible in the direction of the wind and received for answer that the fog intercepted the view in that quarter of the heavens but that the sail in the east was a ship running large or before the wind the pilot shook his head doubtingly at this information but still he manifested a strong reluctance to relinquish the attempt of getting more to the southward again he communed with the commander the frigate apart from all other ears and while they yet deliberated a second report was heard leaving no doubt that the alacrity was firing signal guns for their particular attention perhaps said Griffith he wishes to point out his position or to ascertain ours believing that we are lost like himself in the mist we have our compasses return the doubting captain summers has a meaning in what he says see clad Catherine with girlish delights see my cousin see barn stable how beautifully that vapor is reading itself in clouds above the smoky line of fog it stretches already into the very heavens like a lofty pyramid barn stable sprang lightly on a gun as he repeated her words pyramids of fog and breathing clouds by heaven he shouted tis a tall ship royals sky sails and stud ding sails all abroad she is within a mile of us and comes down like a race horse with a spanking breeze dead before it now know we why summers is speaking in the mist i cried Griffith and there goes the alacrity just breaking out of the fog hovering in for the land there is a mighty hull under all that cloud of canvas captain munson said the observant but calm pilot it is time gentlemen to edge away to leeward what before we know from whom we run quite griffith my life on it there is no single ship king george owns but we're tired of the sport before she had played a full game of bowls with the haughty air of the young man was daunted by the severe look he encountered in the eye of the pilot and he suddenly ceased though inwardly chafing with impatient pride the same eye that detected the canvas above the fog might have seen the flag of a vice admiral fluttering still nearer the heavens return the collected stranger and england faulty as she may be is yet too generous to place a flag officer in time of war in command of a frigate or a captain in command of a fleet she knows the value of those who shed their blood in her behalve and it is thus that she is so well served believe me captain munson there is nothing short of a ship of the line under that symbol of rank and that broad show of canvas we shall see sir we shall see return the old officer whose manner grew decided as the danger appeared too thick and beat to quarters mr griffith for we have none but enemies to expect on this coast the order was instantly issued when griffith remarked with a more temperate zeal if mr gray be right we shall have reason to thank god that we are so light of heal the cry of a strange vessel close aboard the frigate having already flown down the hatches the ship was in an uproar at the first tap of the drum the seamen threw themselves from their hammocks and lashing them rapidly into long hard bundles they rushed to the decks where they were dexterously stowed in the netting to aid the defenses of the upper part of the vessel while this tumultuous seam was exhibiting griffith gave a secret order to mary who disappeared leading his trembling cousins to a place of safety in the inmost depths of the ship the guns were cleared of their lumber and loosened the bulkheads were knocked down and the cabin relieved of its furniture and the gun deck exhibited one unbroken line of formidable cannon arranged in all the order of a naval battery ready to engage armed chests were thrown open and the deck screwed with pipes cutlasses pistols and all the various weapons for boarding in short the yards were slung and every other arrangement was made with a readiness and dexterity that were actually wonderful though all was performed amid an appearance of disorder and confusion that rendered the ship another babble during the continuance of the preparations in a very few minutes everything was completed and even the voices of the men ceased to be heard answering to their names as they were mustered at their stations by their respective officers gradually the ship became as quiet as the grave and when even griffith or his commander found it necessary to speak their voices were calmer and their tones more mild than usual the course of the vessel was changed to an oblique line from that in which their enemy was approaching though the appearance of flight was to be studiously avoided to that last moment when nothing further remained to be done every eye became fixed on the enormous pile of swelling canvas that was rising in cloud over cloud far above the fog and which was manifestly moving like driving vapor swiftly to the north presently the dull smoky boundary of the mist which rested on the water was pushed aside in vast volumes and the long tapered spars that projected from the bow split of the strange ship issued from the obscurity and were quickly followed by the whole of the enormous fabric to which they were merely light appendages for a moment streaks of reluctant vapor clung to the huge floating pile but they were soon shaken off by the rapid vessel and the whole of her black hall became distinct to the eye one two three rows of teeth said bold throat deliberately counting the tears of guns that bristled along the sides of the enemy a three-decker jack manly would show his stern to such a fellow and even the bloody scotchman would run hard up with your helm quarter master cried captain months and there is indeed no time to hesitate with such an enemy within a quarter of a mile turn the hands up mr. Griffith and pack on the ship from her trucks to her lower studying sail booms be stirring sir be stirring hard up with your helm hard up and be damned to you the unusual earnestness of their age a commander acted on the startle crew like a voice from the deep and they waited not for the usual signals of the boats and drummer to be given before they broke away from their guns and rushed to multruously to aid in spreading the desired canvas there was one minute of ominous confusion that to an inexperienced I would have foreboded the destruction of all order in the vessel during which every hand and each tongue seemed in motion but it ended in opening the immense folds of light duck which were displayed along the whole line of the mass far beyond the ordinary sails over shadowing the waters for a great distance on either side of the vessel during the moment of inaction that succeeded this sudden exertion the breeze which had brought up the three-decker fell fresher on the sails of the frigate and she started away from her dangerous enemy with a very perceptible advantage in point of sailing the fog rises crowd griffith give us but the wind for an hour and we shall run her out of gunshot these nineties are very fast off the wind return the captain in a low tone that was intended only for the ears of his first lieutenant and the pilot and we shall have a struggle for it the quick eye of the stranger was glancing over the movements of his enemy while he answered he finds we have the heels of him already he is making ready and we shall be fortunate to escape abroad side letter yaw a little mr. griffith touch her lightly with the helm if we are raked sir we are lost the captain sprang on the taff rail of his ship with the activity of a younger man and in an instant he perceived the truth of the other's conjecture both vessels now ran for a few minutes keenly watching each other's motions like two skillful combatants the english ship making slight deviations from the line of her course and then as her movements were anticipated by the other turning as cautiously in the opposite direction until a sudden and wide sweep of her huge bows told the americans plainly on which tack to expect her captain munson made a silent but impressive gesture with his arm as if the crisis were too important for speech which indicated to the watchful griffith the way he wished the frigate sheared to avoid the weight of the impending danger both vessels were swiftly up to the wind with their heads towards the land and as the huge black side of the three-decker checkered with its triple batteries frown full upon her foe it belched forth the flood of fire and smoke accompanied by a bellowing roar that mocked the surly moanings of the sleeping ocean the nerves of the bravest man in the frigate contracted their fibers as the hurricane of iron hurtled by them and each eye appeared to gaze in stupid wonder as if tracing the flight of the swift engines of destruction but the voice of captain munson was heard in the den shouting while he waved his hat earnestly in the required direction meter meter with the helm boy meter mr. griffith meet her griffith had so far anticipated this movement as to have already ordered the head of the frigate to be turned in its former course when struck by the unearthly cry of the last tones uttered by his commander he bent his head and beheld the venerable seaman driven through the air his hat still waving his gray hair floating in the wind and his eyes sit in the wild look of death great god exclaimed the young man rushing to the side of the ship where he was just in time to see the lifeless body disappear in the waters that were died in his blood he has been struck by a shot lower away the boat lower away the jolly boat the barge the tiger the tis useless interrupted the calm deep voice of the pilot he has met a warrior's end and he sleeps in a sailor's grave the ship is getting before the wind again and the enemy is keeping his vessel away the youthful lieutenant was recalled by these words to his duty and reluctantly turned his eyes away from the bloody spot on the waters which the busy frigate had already passed to resume the command of the vessel with a forced composure he has cut some of our running gear said the master whose eye had never ceased to dwell on the spars and rigging of the ship and there's a splinter out of the main top mass that is big enough for a fit he has let daylight through some of our canvas too but taking it by enlarge the squall has gone over and a little harm done didn't I hear something said of captain months and getting jammed by a shot he is killed said griffa speaking in a voice that was yet husky with horror he is dead sir and carried overboard there is more need than we forget not ourselves in this crisis dead said bold trope suspending the operation of his active jaws for a moment in surprise and buried in a wet jacket well it is lucky it is no worse bore dammy if I did not think every stick in the ship would have been cut out of her with this consolatory remark on his lips the master walks slowly forward continuing his orders to repair the damages with a singleness of purpose that rendered him however uncouth as a friend an invaluable man in his station griffith had not yet brought his mind to the calmness that was so essential to discharge the duties which had thus suddenly and awfully devolved on him when his elbow was lightly touched by the pilot who had drawn closer to his side the enemy appear satisfied with the experiments of the stranger and as we work the quicker of the two he loses too much ground to repeat it if he be a true seaman and yet as he finds we leave him so fast return griffith he must see that all his hopes resting cutting us up aloft I dread that he will come by the wind again and lay us under his broadside we should need a quarter of an hour to run without his range if he were anchored he plays a sure game see you not that the vessel we made in the eastern board shows the hull of a frigate to his past the doubt that they are of one squadron and that the expresses have sent them in our wake the english admiral has spread a broad clue mr griffith and as he gathers in his ships he sees that his game has been successful the faculties of griffith had been too much occupied with a hurry of the chase to look at the ocean but startled at the information of the pilot who spoke coolly though like a man sensible of the existence of approaching danger he took the glass from the other and with his own eye examined the different vessels in sight it is certain that the experienced officer whose flag was flying above the light sails of the three decker saw the critical situation of his chase and reasoned much in the same manner as the pilot or the fearful expedient apprehended by griffith would have been adopted prudence however dictated that he should prevent his enemy from escaping by pressing so closely on his rear as to render it impossible for the american to haul across his bowels and run into the open sea between his own vessel and the nearest frigate of his squadron the unpracticed reader will be able to comprehend the case better by accompanying the understanding of griffith as it glanced from point to point following the whole horizon to the west lay the land along which the alacrity was urging her way industriously with the double purpose of keeping her consort a beam and of avoiding a dangerous proximity to their powerful enemy to the east bearing off the starboard bow of the american frigate was the vessel first seen in which now began to exhibit the hostile appearance of a ship of war staring in a line converging towards themselves and rapidly drawing nair while far in the northeast was a vessel as yet faintly discerned whose evolutions could not be mistaken by one who understood the movements of nautical warfare we are hemmed in if actually said griffith dropping the glass from his eye and i know not but our wisest course will be to haul into the land and cutting everything light adrift endeavor to pass the broad side of the flagship provided she left a rag of canvas to do it with return the pilot sir it is an idle hope she would strip your ship in 10 minutes to her blank shears had it not been for a lucky wave on which so many of her shot struck in glass upwards we should have nothing to boast of left from the fire she has already given we must stand on and drop the three-decker as far as possible but the frigate said griffith what are we to do with the frigates fight them return the pilot in a low determined voice fight them young man i have borne the stars and stripes are often greater strengths than this and even with honor think not that my fortune will desert me now we shall have an hour of desperate battle on that we may calculate but i've lived through whole days of bloodshed you seem not one to quail at the sight of an enemy let me proclaim your name to the men said griffith to a quicken their blood and at such a moment be a host in itself they wanted not return the pilot checking the hasty zeal of the other with his hand i would be unnoticed unless i am known as becomes me i will share your danger but would not rob you of a tittle of your glory should we come to grapple he continued with a smile of conscious pride green across his face i will give forth the word as a war cry and believe me these english will quail before it griffith submitted to the stranger's will and after they had deliberated further on that nature of their evolutions he gave his attention again to the management of the vessel the first object which met his eye on turning from the pilot was colonel howard pacing the quarter deck with a determined brow and a hearty mean as if already in the enjoyment of that triumph which now seems certain i fear sir said the young man approaching him with respect that you will soon find the deck unpleasant and dangerous your rewards are mentioned not the unworthy term interrupted the colonel what greater pleasure can there be than to inhale the odor of loyalty that is wafted from yonder floating tower of the king and danger you know but little of old george howard young man if you think he would four thousands misting that symbol of rebellion level before the flag of his majesty if that be your wish general howard return griffith biting his lip as he looked around at the wandering seaman who were listeners you will wait in vain but i pledge you my word then when that time arrives you shall be advised and that your own hand shall do the ignoble d edward griffith why not this moment this is your moment of probation submit to the clemency of the crown and yield your crew to the royal mercy in such a case i would remember the child of my brother harry's friend and believe me my name is known to the ministry and you misguided and ignorant are betters of rebellion cast aside your useless weapons or prepare to meet the vengeance of yonder powerful and victoria's servant of your prince fall back back with the fellows cried griffith fiercely to the men who were gathering around the colonel with looks of sullen vengeance if a man of you dare approach him he shall be cast into the sea the sailors retreated at the order of their commander but the elated veteran had continued to pace the deck for many minutes before stronger interests diverted the angry glances of the seaman to other objects notwithstanding the ship of the line was slowly sinking beneath the distant waves and in less than an hour from the time she had fired the broadside no more than one of her three tears of guns was visible from the deck of the frigate she yet presented an irresistible obstacle against retreat to the south on the other hand the ship first seen drew so now as to render the glass no longer necessary in watching her movements she proved to be a frigate though one so materially lighter than the american has to have rendered her conquest easy had not heard two consorts continue to press on for the scene of battle with such rapidity during the chase the scene had shifted from the point opposite to saint ruth to the verge of those shores where our tail commenced as they approached the latter the smallest of the english ships drew so not as to render the combat an affordable griffith and his crew had not been idle in the intermediate time but all the usual preparations against the casualties of a sea fighter had been duly made when the drum once more called them into their quarters and the ship was deliberately stripped of her unnecessary sails like their prized fighter about to enter the arena casting aside the incumbences of dress at the instant she gave this intimation of her intention to abandon flight and trust the issue to the combat the nearest english frigate also took in her light canvas and token of her acceptance of the challenge he is but a little fellow said griffith to the pilot who hovered at his elbow with a sort of fatherly interest in the other's conduct of the battle though he carries a stout heart we must crush him at a blow return the stranger not a shot must be delivered until our yards are locking i see him training his twelves upon us already we may soon expect his fire after standing the blunt about 90 gunship observe the collective pilot we shall not shrink from the broad side about two and thirty stand to your gun's men crack rifford through his trumpet not a shot is to be fired without the order this caution so necessary to check the order of the semen was hardly uttered before their enemy became wrapped in sheets of fire and volumes of smoke as gun after gun hurled its iron missiles at their vessel in quick succession ten minutes might have passed the two vessels shearing close to each other every foot they advanced during which time the crew of the american were compelled by their commander to suffer the fire of their adversary without returning a shot this short period which seemed an age to the semen was distinguished in their vessel by deep silence even the wounded in dying who fell in every part of the ship stifled their groans under the influence of a severe discipline which gave a character to every man and each movement of the vessel and those officers who were required to speak were heard only in the lowest tones of resolute preparation at length the ship slowly entered the skirts of the smoke that enveloped their enemy and griffith heard the man who stood at his side whisper the word now let them have it cried griffith in a voice that was heard in the remotest parts of the ship the shout that burst from the semen appeared to lift the decks of the vessel and the affrighted frigate dremel like an aspen with the recoil of her own massive artillery that shot forth a single sheet of flame the sailors having disregarded in their impatience the usual order of firing the effective that broadside on the enemy was still more dreadful for a deathlike silence exceeded to the roar of the guns which was only broken by the shrieks and execrations that burst from her like the moanings of the dam during the few moments in which the americans were again loading their cannon and the english were recovering from their confusion the vessel of the format moved slowly past her antagonist and was already doubling across her bowels when that ladder was suddenly unconsidering the inequality of their forces it may be added desperately headed into her enemy the true frigate scrapple the sudden and furious charge made by the english men as he threw his masses of daring semen along his bow spread and out of his channels had nearly taken griffith by surprise manuel had delivered his first fire with the broadside now did good service by ordering his men to beat back the intruders by a steady and continued discharge even though wary pilot lost sight of their other foes in the high daring of that moment and smiles of stern pleasure were exchanged between him and griffith as both comprehended of the glance their advantages lash his bowsprit to our mismash out of the lieutenant and we will sweep his decks as he lies 20 men sprang eagerly forward to execute the order among the foremost of whom were bold trope and the stranger i now he's our own private busy master and we will take an owner's liberties with him and break him up for by the eternal peace rude man said the pilot in a voice of solemn a monstrance at the next instant he may face your god mock not his awful name the master found time before he threw himself from the spar on the deck of the frigate again to cast a look of amazement at his companion who with a steady mean but with an eye that lighted with a warrior's ardor viewed the battle that raged around him like one who marked its progress to control the result the sight of the englishmen rushing onward with shouts and bitter menaces warmed the blood of colonel howard who pressed to the side of the frigate and encouraged his friends by his gestures and voice to come on away with ye old croaker cried the master seizing him by the collar away with ye to the hold or i'll order you fired from a gun down with your arms rebellious dog shadowed the colonel carried beyond himself by the ardor of the fray down to the dust and implore the mercy of your injured prince invigorated by a momentary glow the veteran grappled with his brawny antagonist but the issue of the short struggle was yet suspended when the english driven back by the fire of the marines and the menacing front that griffith with his borders presented retreated to the full castle of their own ship and attempted to return the deadly blows they were receiving in their halt from that cannon that barn stable directed a solitary gun was all they could bring to bear on the americans but this loaded with canister was fired so near as to send its clearing flame into the very faces of their enemies the struggling colonel who was already sinking beneath the arm of his foe felt the rough grass flushing from his throat at the flash and the two combatants sunk powerless on their knees facing each other how now brother exclaimed bold trip with a smile of grim fierceness some of that grist has gone to your mill ha no answer could however be given before the yielding forms of both fell to the deck where they lay helpless amid the din of the battle and the wild confusion of the eager combatants notwithstanding the furious struggle they witnessed the elements did not cease their functions and urged by the breeze and lifted in resistably on a way the american ship was forced through the water still further across the bowels of her enemy the idle fastenings of hemp and iron were snapped asunder like strings of tow and griffith saw his own ship born away from the englishman at the instant that the bow spirit of the ladder was torn from its lashings and tumbled into the sea followed by a spar after spar until nothing of all her proud tackling was remaining but the few potted and useless ropes that were left dangling along the stumps of her lower mass as his own stately vessel moved from the confusion she had caused and left the dense cloud of smoke in which her helpless antagonist lay the eye of the young man glanced anxiously toward the horizon where he now remembered he had more foes to contend against we have shaken off the 32 most happily he said to the pilot who followed his motions with singular interest but here is another fellow sharing in for us who shows as many ports as ourselves and who appears inclined for a closer interview besides the hall of the nineties rising again in a fear she will be down but too soon we must keep the use of our braces and sails return the pilot and on no account close with the other frigate we must play a double game sir and fight this new adversary with our heels as well as with our guns tis time then that we were busy for he is shortening sail and as he nears so fast we may expect to hear from him every minute what do you propose sir let him gather in his canvas return the pilot and when he thinks himself snug we can throw out a hundred minutes once upon our yards and spread everything alone and aloft we may then draw ahead of him by surprise if we can once get him in our wake i have no fears of dropping them all a stern chase is a long chase gray griffith and the thing may do clear up the decks here and carry down the wounded and as we have our hands full the poor fellows who have done with us must go overboard at once this melancholy duty was instantly attended to rather young seaman who commanded the frigate returned to his duty with the absorbed error of one who felt his high responsibility these occupations however did not prevent his hearing the sounds of barren stables voice calling eagerly to young mary bending his head towards the sound griffith to help his friend looking anxiously up the main patch with a face grime with smoke his coat off and his shirt bespattered with human blood tell me boy he said is mr griffith untouched they say that a shock came in upon that quarter deck that tripped up the heels of half a dozen before america answered the eyes of blond stable which even while he spoke was scanning the state of the vessels rigging encountered the kind looks the griffith and from that moment perfect harmony was restored between the friends you are there griff and with a whole skin i see cried barn stable smiling with pleasure they have passed poor bolt wrote down into one of his own storerooms the fat fellas vowsprit had held on ten minutes longer what a mark i should have made on his face and eyes tis perhaps best as it is return griffith but what have you done with those whom we are most bound to protect barn stable made a significant gesture towards the depths of the vessel as he answered on the cable safe as wood iron and water can keep them though cathrine has had her head up three times to a summons from the pilot through griffith away and the young officers were compelled to forget their individual feelings in the pressing duties of their stations this ship which the american frigate had now to oppose was a vessel of near her own size and equipage and when griffith looked at her again he perceived that she had made her preparations to assert her equality a mindful fight her sails have been gradually reduced to the usual quantity and by certain movements on her decks the lieutenant and his constant attendant the pilot well understood that she only wanted to lessen her distance a few hundred yards to begin the action now spread everything whispered the stranger griffith applied the trumpet to his mouth and shouted in a voice that was carried even to his enemy let fall out with your booms sheet home hoist the way of everything the inspiring cry was answered by a universal bustle fifty men flew out on the dizzy heights of the different spars while broad sheets of canvas rose suddenly along the mass as if some mighty bird were spreading its wings the englishman instantly perceived his mistake and he answered the artifice by a roar of artillery griffith watched the effects of the boss with an absorbing interest as the shot whistled above his head but when he perceived his mass untouched and the few and important ropes only that were cut he applied to the upward with a burst of pleasure a few men were however seen clinging with wild frenzy to the cottage dropping from rope to rope like wounded birds fluttering through a tree until they fell heavily into the ocean the southern ship sweeping by them in cold indifference at the next instant the spars and mass of their enemy exhibited a display of men similar to their own when griffith again placed the trumpet to his mouth and shouted aloud give it to them drive them from their yards boys scatter them with your grape and read their rigging the crew of the american wanted but little encouragement to enter on this experiment with hearty goodwill and the clothes of his cheering words were uttered amid the deafening roar of his own cannon the pilot had however mistaken the skill and readiness of their foe for notwithstanding the disadvantageous circumstances under which the englishman increased his sale the duty was steadily and dexterously performed the two ships were now running rapidly on parallel lines purling at each other their instruments of destruction the furious industry and the severe and certain laws to both though with no manifest advantage in favor of either both griffith and the pilot witnessed with deep concern this unexpected defeat of their hopes for they could not conceal from themselves that each moment lessened their velocity through the water as the shot of their enemies stripped the counters from the yards or dashed beside the lighter spars in their terrible progress we find our equal here said griffith to the stranger the nineties leaving up again like a mountain and if we continue to shorten sail at this rate she will soon be down upon us you say true sir return the pilot musing the man shows judgment as well as spirit but he was interrupted by mary who rushed from the forehead part of the vessel his whole face petal gunning the eagerness of his spirit and the importance of his intelligence the breakers he cried when not enough to be heard amid the din we are running dead on a ripple and the sea is white not two hundred yards ahead the pilot jumped on a gun and bending to catch a glimpse through the smoky shadow in those clear piercing tones that could be even heard among the roaring of the cannon port port your helm we are on the devil's grip pass up the trumpet sir port your helm fellow give it them boys give it to the proud english dogs griffith hunting hesitatingly relinquished the symbol of his rank fastening his own firm look on that calm but quick eye of the pilot and gathering assurance from the high confidence he read in the countenance of the stranger the seamen were too busy with their cannon and they're rigging to regard the new danger and the frigate entered one of the dangerous passes of the shoals in the heat of a severely contested battle the wondering looks of a few of the older sailor's glance of the sheets of foam that flew by them in doubt whether the wild gambles of the waves were occasioned by the shot of the enemy when suddenly the noise of cannon was succeeded by the sudden wash of the disturbed element and presently the vessel glided out of a smoky shroud and was boldly steering in the center of the narrow passages for ten breathless minutes longer the pilot continued to hold an uninterrupted sway during which the vessel ran swiftly by ripples and breakers by streaks of foam and darker passages of deep water when he threw down his trumpet and exclaimed what threatened to be our destruction has proved our salvation keep yonder hill crowned with wood one point open from the church tower out of space and steer east by north you will run through these shoals on that course in an hour and by so doing you will gain five leagues of your enemy who will have to double their tail the moment he stepped from the gun the pilot lost the air of authority that had so singularly distinguished his animated form and even the close interest he had manifested in the incidents of the day became lost in the cold settled reserve he had affected during his intercourse with his present associates every officer in the ship after the breathless suspense of uncertainty had passed rushed to those places where a view might be taken of their enemies the 90 was still steering boldly onward and had already approached the two and 30 which lay a helpless wreck rolling on the unruly seas that were rudely tossing her on their wanton billows their frigate blast engaged was running along the edge of the ripple with her torn sails flying loosely in the air her ragged spars tottering in the breeze and everything above her haul exhibiting the confusion of a sudden and unlooked for check to her progress the exulting taunts and merciful congratulations of the seaman as they gazed at the english ships were however soon forgotten in the attention that was required to their own vessel the drum speed to retreat the guns were lashed the wounded again removed and every individual able to keep the deck was required to lend his assistance in repairing the damages of the frigate and securing her mass the promised hour carried the ship safely through all the dangers which were much lessened by daylight and by the time the sun had begun to fall over the land quivered who had not quitted the deck during the day beheld his vessel once more cleared of the confusion of the chase and battle and ready to meet another foe at this period he was summoned to the cabin at the request of the ship's chaplain delivering the charge of the frigate to barnstable who had been his active assistant no less in their subsequent labors than in the combat he hastily divested himself of the vestiges of the fight and proceeded to obey the repeated and earnest call end of chapter 33